Begin forwarded message: From: Jeff Mathieu Subject: RE: Big Bear No Kill Community. Date: March 28, 2018 at 4:43:41 PM PDTk To: Ted Trent Ted, A few of our City Councilmembers shared an email you sent earlier in March expressing a number of concerns about animal care and shelter services primarily at the facility located in Devore. Last Friday you sent a direct email to me that made specific requests to the City of Big Bear Lake regarding adoption and euthanasia policies. I’d like to provide a little background, and hopefully a pathway toward your goals. The City of Big Bear Lake is a limited service municipality that provides essential core public services. Other regional and complex services such as the Coroner’s Office, Mental Health, County Landfill, Assessor’s Office, Recreation & Parks Services, Vector Control, Homeless Services and Law Enforcement are provided exclusively by the County of San Bernardino. Similar to the other County services, the Big Bear Animal Care and Shelter facility is wholly controlled, licensed, funded and staffed by the County of San Bernardino. In none of the above does the City have legislative authority to mandate the manner in which the County provides its services. The City’s relationship with the County is that of a landlord, not a contract service provider. We rent our building next to VCA Lakeside Animal Hospital to the County to ensure animal care and shelter services are provided locally for the benefit of the animals and residents. Ted, I read your blogs and posts regarding services at the County’s Devore and other facilities. While I cannot speak to Devore or other facilities, the County’s Big Bear Animal Care and Shelter facility has, over the years, received scores of compliments from owners regarding misplaced or lost pets, successful adoptions, rescued animals and in general positive feedback. Most agree that having a local animal care and shelter facility makes a huge difference for transparency and accountability. Despite our City’s residents limited use of the facility, we find it worthy to ensure the continued presence of this important service in the Big Bear Valley rather than have it move away to a distant regional facility. It is for that reason we are positioned to renew our lease agreement with the County and continue to make capital improvements to the property. Given that the sole direction and legislative authority for the operation of this important service is governed the County Board of Supervisors, I’d strongly suggest that you contact the County. While the Board of Supervisors oversee all County operations, the specific management of personnel, facilities and requisite policies are provided by Department of Public Health’s Animal Care and Control Division. In particular, adopted policies of approved by the Board of Supervisors, including adoption and euthanasia, are managed by Department of Public Health/Animal Care and Control Division. Their contact information is as follows: County of San Bernardino Department of Public Health/Animal Care and Control Division 351 North Mountain View Avenue San Bernardino, CA 92415 909.387.9152 If you have any additional questions or concerns related to the City of Big Bear Lake, feel free to contact me at 909.866.5832 Regards, Jeff Jeff Mathieu, City Manager City of Big Bear Lake 39707 Big Bear Blvd (building) Post Office Box 10000 (mailing) Big Bear Lake, California 92315 909.866.5832